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The Bhagavad Gita1486
gods—the gods of qualities, attributes, powers, gifts; or other exalted beings
of the higher planes and regions. And those under the dominion of the dark
Tamas Guna, worship the departed spirits, ghosts, goblins, devils, demons,
gnomes, evil spirits and the elementals, and such beings of the lower planes
of the unseen world, oftimes times calling them by the name of God.
“As for those misguided men, who seek merit by the performance of
severe austerities, and mortifications of the flesh, unauthorized by the
Sacred Teachings—they are gainglorious creatures, overcome with pride,
self-righteousness and hypocrisy, and are urged on by desire and passion
for reward and praise. These men torture the fair body, and torment the
parts and principles of the same—thus disturbing the soul which resideth
within, and even Me who am within the soul in its inner chamber. Such are
demoniacal, in their infernal resolves and wrongful practices.
“Know thus also, Arjuna, that there be three kinds of food which are dear
to all mankind. Also are, Worship, Zeal, and Charity threefold. Hearken thou
to their distinctions.
“The food that is most agreeable to those in whom the Sattvas Guna is
predominant, is that conducive to Long Life, Power and Strength, and which
prevents Sickness, and renders one Happy and Contented. Such food is
pleasing to the taste; nourishing, substantial, and gratifying to the hunger.
Too bitter it is not; neither is it too sour, too salt, too hot, too pungent, too
astringent, nor too burning. Those of the Rajas Guna nature, prefer food
which is bitter, sour, hot, pungent, dry and burning, to an excessive degree—
that which stirs up the appetites, stimulates the taste-sense and produces,
finally, pain, sickness, and dissatisfaction. Those who are under the rule of
the dark Tamas Guna, incline to food which hath been dressed the day
before, and that which is out of season; also that which hath lost its savor
and hath grown putrid; also the uneaten parts of others’ meals, and all food
that is unclean and impure.
“And as to Worship, know the three forms. The man of Sattvas Guna doth
worship according to the custom of the Sacred Writings without desire of